The Government of Timor-Leste and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are jointly hosting the High Level Conference “Harnessing Natural Resource Wealth for Inclusive Growth and Economic Development” in Dili, Timor-Leste on September 17-19. The conference is held in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank Group (WBG), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The conference will focus on new and existing regional and global policies for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in natural resource rich countries. Discussion points will include opportunities to strengthen macro-fiscal frameworks as well as strategies for economic diversification. The conference will include regional and global perspectives with representatives from a number of diverse resource-rich countries in Asia and the Pacific, as well as Africa and the Caribbean. Sharing lessons learned is central to the conference participants and outcome.

The President of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak will open the conference. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Mr. Anoop Singh, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, and Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations. Finance Minister Emilia Pires will provide the economic outlook for Timor-Leste as related to the Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. Other participants include Central Bank of Timor-Leste Governor Abraao de Vasconcelhos Mr. Changyong Rhee, ADB Chief Economist, Mr. Hiroto Arakawa, Special Advisor to the JICA Research Institute, and a range of senior officials from natural resource rich countries.